phenology

noun

phe·​nol·​o·​gy fi-ˈnä-lə-jē 

1

: a branch of science dealing with the relations between climate and periodic biological phenomena (such as bird migration or plant flowering)

2

: periodic biological phenomena that are correlated with climatic conditions

phenological

ˌfē-nə-ˈlä-ji-kəl 

adjective

phenologically

ˌfē-nə-ˈlä-ji-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of phenology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Gardeners, farmers, naturalists and scientists have long relied on phenology to guide decision-making. —Alice Cason, Mercury News, 20 Oct. 2025

One study found wild bees across species have been changing their phenology, or timing of seasonal activities, and over the past 50 years the emergence date is four times faster. —Courtney McGinnis, The Conversation, 30 Apr. 2025

Trillium is one of the most beloved ephemerals in the northeastern United States and presents a fascinating example of phenology and interdependence. —Carl R. Gold, Baltimore Sun, 30 Mar. 2025

The intrigue: Forecasting peak bloom is notoriously tricky, Marlee Theil, the project manager for the cherry tree phenology project at UW, told Axios. —Christine Clarridge, Axios, 13 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

phenomena + -logy

First Known Use

circa 1884, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for phenology

• anthology
• apology
• astrology
• biology
• christology
• chronology
• conchology
• cosmology
• cryptology
• cytology
• doxology
• ecology